Casino Colony Looks Up to China

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****MACAO, TIRED OF GAMBLING AND CRIME, COMES UNDER BEIJING'S CONTROL TOMORROW.****

MACAO - On any given day, the crowded hydrofoil ferry releases its cargo of raucous, jabbering Hong Kong gamblers at the pier of this tiny Portuguese colony off the coast of southern China.

With money belts open, the tsunami of casino-bound day-trippers sweeps past, leaving behind a few residents of Macao to contemplate life under Chinese rule.

"This is a unique place with the most incredible history in Asia, but it is deteriorating," said Jorge, a man of Portuguese-Chinese ancestors.

"The economy is bad. We are too dependent on gambling to make money. The streets aren't safe. I hope that China can clean the place up without destroying it."

Tomorrow, China …